Decorator canopy bed top frame



Mam}! 1966 c. J. DESNEUX 3,237,217

DEGORATOR CANOPY BED TOP FRAME Filed Jan. 7, 1965 I NVEN TOR Clarewc'edied/Z ea 2:

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p Z;/ w[d4 v TTORNEYS United States Patent 3,237,217 DECORATOR CANOPYBED TOP FRAME Clarence J. Desneux, Clearwater, Fla, assignor to DesneuxTool and Die Company, Clearwater, Fla. Filed Jan. 7, 1965, Ser. No.423,987 Claims. (Cl. 5362) This invention relates to frames of variouskinds and materials, to the nature and character of said frames, and tothe manner in which individual parts are assembled and fastenedtogether, as well as to structures supported by and constituting anassembly with such frames.

The invention relates particularly to frames for supporting objects suchas decorative canopies over beds, the specific nature and character ofsuch frames as well as the manner in which the parts can be readilyerected, fastened together, moved, and taken down.

Various types of frames have been provided of many shapes and sizes withthe parts fastened together in various ways. Prior frames have not beensatisfactory due to their weight, bulkiness, the manner in which theparts were fastened together, difficulty of erection, and lack ofdurability.

It is an object of the invention to provide a frame which could be ofany desired size although of relatively small bulk, and light weight,and particularly suitable for use as a decorative canopy bed top frame,as well as a frame having an upper portion with legs connected theretoand supporting the same, which can be readily erected and taken down byinexperienced persons without special tools or equipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide unique means for fasteningtogether the parts of a frame square in cross section including springclamps which removably interlock with one member and extend around andhold another, and with the parts in assembled relation, by a retainingarm and with cross bars on parallel sides of the frame members havingtheir ends journaled in plastic inserts.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the bed with a decorator canopy frame inaccordance with the present invention over the same;

FIG. 2, an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating one of the connectors;

FIG. 3, an exploded view of one of the connections;

FIG. 4, an enlarged fragmentary section on the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5, a section on line 5-5 of FIG. 2; and,

FIG. 6, a perspective of the fastening clip itself.

Briefly stated the present invention is a frame composed of multipleparts including a top portion having spaced sides supported by legs withthe sides of the top portions and the legs spanned by cross bars whichare connected to the sides and the legs by means of novel plasticinserts which provide tight joints. The side members and the legs arefastened together by pairs of spring clamps one of each pair having ahead connected by a neck to the fiat body of the clamp which head isinserted through a slot in one of the members to be connected and withthe clamp extending around and having its opposite end offset toward theother clamp with relatively small transversely curved extensions whichwhen those of the pair are combined form a stud which can be received inan opening in an ornamental device such as a knob, the two clamp membersextending on opposite sides of a member to be connected to the first.

With continued reference to the drawing a top frame is provided in theform of a pair of generally parallel tubular side members 10 havingarched or upwardly bowed intermediate portions 11. The tubular top sidemembers 10 preferably are of square cross-section with connecting crossbars 12. Five cross bars have been found to be an appropriate numb-er,one connecting the bowed portions of the side members with the other twoadjacent the ends thereof.

A unique manner of joining the cross bars and side members includes theprovision at the joint of circular concentric openings 13 and 14 in thefacing and remote portions of the side members 14 and the insertion of aplastic insert 15 having a closed end 16 with a central knob 17 whichfits into the opening 14. The interior of the insert is of uniformdiameter but the exterior 18 tapers from its closed end outwardly to areduced portion 19 where a shoulder 20 is formed. When the insert isapplied it is forced in place until the shoulder 20 is located Withinthe tube and against the interior wall of the member 10 so that itcannot be readily removed. The insert preferably is of plastic, forexample nylon, and when the end of the cross bar 12 is received thereinit provides a relatively tight joint due to the gripping of the plasticabout the smooth surface of the cross bar.

The top frame is supported by legs 21 connected by cross bars 22identical with the cross bars 12, such cross bars preferably being oftubular material such as aluminum or chrome steel. Inserts 15 areemployed like those in the connection between the cross bars of the topframe members. While only a single cross bar is illustrated connectingeach pair of legs, it will be apparent that if desired additional crossbars can be employed in fastening the legs of each pair together.

The legs or corner posts which support the top frame are connected tothe top frame in a novel manner. This includes the provision of slots 23in the near and remote sides of each pair of legs, the legs havingsquared ends over which extend the top frame members 10. In order tosecure the top frame members on the leg, spring clamps 24 are providedeach having an angular extremity or head portion 25 connected by a smallneck 26 to the main flat body portion of the spring clamp 24. Theopposite end of the spring clamp from the head 25 is provided withgently curved portions 27 and 28 which are connected by a relativelystraight portion 29 and the curved portion 28 terminates in a reducedcurved extension or end portion 30. The end portions 30 form reducedextensions of the longitudinal axis of the post 21 and when two springclamps 24 are applied over opposite sides of the upper frame member 10the extensions form in effect a stud receivable within an opening 31 ofa finial or decorative knob 32. The spring clamps are such that theextensions 30 normally are urged apart, consequently there is a grippingor binding action on the member 32.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a frame is provided ofsimple inexpensive construction, of light weight and minimum bulk whichcan be readily installed or removed and which will provide a relativelyrigid structure and when not erected will occupy a relatively smallpackage for storage and shipment.

Further it will be understood that in the erection of the device the twobowed side members of the top frame are placed in parallel side-by-siderelation with the larger of the openings 13 and 14 facing each other,whereupon the inserts 15 are forced in place and the five cross bars areinserted making a substantially rectangular frame. Thereafter a pair oflegs is placed beneath the side members 10 in spaced parallel relationwith the large openings 13 facing each other, after which the inserts 15are installed and then the cross bars 22. Then one end of therectangular top frame is raised and a pair of legs placed under one endof same so that the side members Patented Mar. 1, 1966.

rest thereon, after which the spring clamps 24 are applied to fasten thesides of the top frame to the leg and the decorative element is appliedto the spring clamps over each leg. After the legs are applied at oneend they are applied at the opposite end in a like manner.

It will, of course, be understood that the frame of the presentinvention is adapted to be placed over a bed 33 of conventionalconstruction.

It Will be obvious to one skilled in the art that various changes may bemade in the invention without departing from the spirit and scopethereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which isillustrated in the drawing and described in the specification, but onlyas indicated in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A decorator canopy bed top frame comprising spaced generally parallelupwardly arched tubular members of generally square cross section, crossbars connecting said tubular members with one cross bar adjacent each ofthe ends of the tubular members, one adjacent each end of the archedportions thereof, and another connecting the intermediate portions ofthe arched tubular members, said spaced tubular members and connectingbars defining a generally rectangular structure, said tubular membershaving openings in which the end portions of the cross bars are receivedand having smaller concentric openings in the remote sides of thetubular members, a plastic insert located in the openings of saidtubular members and about the ends of said bars, said plastic inserthaving a substantially cylindrical internal wall with one end of thecylinder closed and with a central projection extending into the openingin the remote wall, and with the external wall of said insert enlargedfrom said closed end to a location near the opposite end of the insertand providing a shoulder against the inside wall of the tube andpreventing ready removal of the insert, a pair of legs supporting eachend of said tubular members, means connecting said legs and tubularmembers comprising a pair of spring clamps having relatively flat bodyportions with inwardly and angularly disposed portions and a connectingneck of less width at one end than at the other end, the metal curvingto a position at right angles to the body of the clamp and then curvinggently to a position substantially 90 and provided with a reducedcentral lengthwise extension curved from edge to edge so that when theextensions of two clamps are placed together it will have a generallyrounded configuration, the angular end of said clamp being of a width tobe freely received within the tubular members, and the extensions beingdisposed in an upright position to be received and held within anopening in a decorator member.

2. A decorator canopy bed top frame comprising spaced generally parallelupwardly arched tubular members having flat sides, bars connecting theend and arched portions of said tubular members, said tubular membershaving openings in which the end portions of said bars are received andsmaller concentric openings opposite the openings in which said bars arereceived, a plastic insert located in the openings in said tubularmembers around the ends of said bars, legs of tubular construction andof a size near that of said tubular members supporting said tubularmembers adjacent the ends thereof, spaced end openings in the lower endsof said legs, a plastic insert in each of said openings, a bar havingits extremities in said inserts, the upper ends of said legs havingslots at opposite sides of said tubular members, means connecting theupper ends of said legs and said tubular members, said means comprisinga pair of spring clamps having narrow necks and enlarged heads with saidheads extending into the slots and the legs, two of such spring clampsbeing disposed one at each of the opposite sides of said tubularmembers, said spring clamps having inwardly disposed offset portions andgenerally parallel extensions to receive a combination decorator knoband retainer.

3. A decorator canopy bed top frame comprising spaced generally parallelupwardly arched tubular members of generally square cross section, crossbars connecting said tubular members with one cross bar adjacent each ofthe ends of the tubular members, one adjacent each end of the archedportions thereof, and another connecting the intermediate portions ofthe arched tubular members, said spaced tubular members and connectingbars defining a generally rectangular structure, said tubular membershaving openings in which the end portions of the cross bars are receivedand having smaller concentric openings in the remote sides of thetubular members, a plastic insert located in the openings of saidtubular members and about the ends of said bars, said plastic inserthaving a substantially cylindrical internal wall with one end of thecylinder closed and with a central projection extending into the openingin the remote wall, and with the external wall of said insert enlargedfrom said closed end to a location near the opposite end of the insertand providing a shoulder against the inside wall of the tubular memberand preventing ready removal of the insert.

4. A canopy frame structure of the character described comprising spacedtubular top frame members of substantially rectangular cross-section,

spaced tubular leg members of substantially rectangular cross-sectionabuttingly supporting said top frame members,

cross bar members extending between and connecting respectively said topframe members and said supporting leg members together,

fastener means fixedly connecting said top frame mem bers and said legmembers together, said fastener means comprising opposed spring clampshaving integral angular anchoring head means at one end thereofinterlockingly engaging with apertured opposite side portions of one ofsaid leg members adjacent one end thereof and clamping portions whichextend around an adjacent top frame member for frictional engagementtherewith, said opposed spring clamps having longitudinally extendingprojections at the opposite ends thereof,

decorator holding cap means for mounting on and receiving said clampextensions whereby when said opposed clamp sections are drawn intofrictional holding relation with said top frame member and said capmeans is positioned in holding relation with said opposed clampextensions, the latter fixedly secures said top frame member and saidleg member together.

5. In a frame structure having at least a portion thereof composed oftubular members of generally square cross-section held together by aclamp structure, said clamp structure comprising a pair of facing metalspring clamp members having relatively fiat parallel body portions withinwardly and angularly disposed portions at one end thereof withconnecting neck portions of reduced width,

the metal of each clamp member intermediate its ends curving toward theother clamp member to a position at right angles to the body of theclamp memher and then curving gently to a position substantially degrees.thereto to provide a central lengthwise extension of reduced widthcurved from edge to edge so that when the extensions of the two clampsare placed together they will have a generally cylindricalconfiguration,

the angular ends of said clamp members being of a width adapted to befreely received for latching engagement in opposite Wall openings of oneof the tubular members,

and a decorator member having a tubular bore for receiving saidextensions and securing them in their 5 6 generally cylindricalconfiguration to maintain the 2,225,592 12/1940 MacFadden 248223 springclamp members in clamping position about 2,798,271 7/1957 Flora 2473another tubular member. FOREIGN PATENTS References Cited by the Examiner5 9, 5/ 1393 Great Britain- UNITED STATES PATENTS FRANK B. SHERRY,Primary Examiner. 1,495,988 6/1924 Catino 5362 1,586,642 6/1926 Amdt C.A. NUNBERG, Assistant Examiner.

1. A DECORATOR CANOPY BED TOP FRAME COMPRISING SPACED GENERALLY PARALLELUPWARDLY ARCHED TUBULAR MEMBERS OF GENERALLY SQUARE CROSS SECTION, CROSSBARS CONNECTING SAID TUBULAR MEMBERS WITH ONE CROSS BAR ADJACENT EACH OFTHE ENDS OF THE TUBULAR MEMBERS, ONE ADJACENT EACH END OF THE ARCHEDPORTIONS THEREOF, AND ANOTHER CONNECTING THE INTERMEDIATE PORTIONS OFTHE ARCHED TUBULAR MEMBERS, SAID SPACED TUBULAR MEMBERS AND CONNECTINGBARS DEFINING A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR STRUCTURE, SAID TUBULAR MEMBERSHAVING OPENINGS IN WHICH THE END PORTIONS OF THE CROSS BARS ARE RECEIVEDAND HAVING SMALLER CONCENTRIC OPENINGS IN THE REMOTE SIDES OF THETUBULAR MEMBERS, A PLASTIC INSERT LOCATED IN THE OPENINGS OF SAIDTUBULAR MEMBERS AND ABOUT THE ENDS OF SAID BARS, SAID PLASTIC INSERTHAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL INTERNAL WALL WITH ONE END OF THECYLINDER CLOSED AND WITH A CENTRAL PROJECTION EXTENDING INTO THE OPENINGIN THE REMOTE WALL, AND WITH THE EXTERNAL WALL OF SAID INSERT ENLARGEDFROM SAID CLOSED END TO A LOCATION NEAR THE OPPOSITE END OF THE INSERTAND PROVIDING A SHOULDER AGAINST THE INSIDE WALL OF THE TUBE ANDPREVENTING READY REMOVAL OF THE INSERT, A PAIR OF LEGS SUPPORTING EACHEND OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBERS, MEANS CONNECTING SAID LEGS AND TUBULARMEMBERS COMPRISING A PAIR OF SPRING CLAMPS HAVING RELATIVELY FLAT BODYPORTIONS WITH INWARDLY AND ANGULARLY DISPOSED PORTIONS AND A CONNECTINGNECK OF LESS WIDTH AT ONE END THAN AT THE OTHER END, THE METAL CURVINGTO A POSITION AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE BODY OF THE CLAMP AND THEN CURVINGGENTLY TO A POSITION SUBSTANTIALLY 90* AND PROVIDED WITH A REDUCEDCENTRAL LENGTHWISE EXTENSION CURVED FROM EDGE TO EDGE SO THAT WHEN THEEXTENSIONS OF TWO CLAMPS ARE PLACED TOGETHER IT WILL HAVE A GENERALLYROUNDED CONFIGURATION, THE ANGULAR END OF SAID CLAMP BEING OF A WIDTH TOBE FREELY RECEIVED WITHIN THE TUBULAR MEMBERS, AND THE EXTENSIONS BEINGDISPOSED IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION TO BE RECEIVED AND HELD WITHIN ANOPENING IN A DECORATOR MEMBER.